European Research Council (ERC): Starting Grants 2018

The European Research Council (ERC) provides Starting Grants to support researchers (Principal Investigators) at the stage at which they are starting their own independent research team or programme. The grants will support independent and excellent new individual research teams. The objective is to provide appropriate and adequate support to excellent researchers, whatever their nationality, located in or moving to the EU Member States and Associated Countries.

Funding & Duration

Starting Grants can be up to a maximum of €1.5M (approx. AUD $2.2M) for a period of 5 years (pro rata for projects of shorter duration). However, an additional €500,000 (approx. AUD $745,000) can be made available to cover eligible “start-up” costs for researchers moving from a third country to the EU or an associated country and/or the purchase of major equipment and/or access to large facilities.

Eligibility

ECR grants are available to researchers of any nationality with 2-7 years of experience since completion of PhD (or equivalent degree) and scientific track record showing great promise.

An ERC grant is awarded to the applicant legal entity – the host institution – that engages and hosts the PI for at least the duration of the grant. The host institution must either be established in an EU Member State or an Associated Country as a legal entity created under national law, or it may be an International European Interest Organisation.